Katy Taylor
Brook Debate, continuing their quest for state qualifications, attended Katy Taylor High School this past weekend and came away – once again – with high praise from their coaches and administrators. In debate events, Iyad Chowdhury broke to the top sixteen at the meet, earning his first points toward his state goal. Additionally, the World Schools Debate team comprised of Nicholas Ng, Daniela Paul and Gabriel Torres placed third overall, which earned the team four of their needed ten points to earn a seat at the table at the state meet in San Antonio in March.
Those who specialize in speaking events were also rewarded for their accomplishments, especially in the semi-final rounds. Making it to this round of competition were Ethan Suratt and Ayla Yoakum in Prose Interpretation, followed by Jyothi Manoj, Hareem Tariq, Aahil Tharani and Sebastian Velasquez in Informative Speaking. Making it to the final round of competition were Kaytlynn Frazier who placed first in Prose Interpretation, Isabelle Wills who placed third in Original Oratory and Aqsa Babar and Misbah Aziz who placed 5th and 3rd respectively in Informative Speaking.
At the end of the meet, the team ended with a total of four state qualifications and an additional six team members who are more than half way to their needed ten points for their state qualifications: Aahil Tharani, Aqsa Babar, Annsantra Sijo, Sheba Joshy, Ariella Calili, and Michael French.
Those who specialize in speaking events were also rewarded for their accomplishments, especially in the semi-final rounds. Making it to this round of competition were Ethan Suratt and Ayla Yoakum in Prose Interpretation, followed by Jyothi Manoj, Hareem Tariq, Aahil Tharani and Sebastian Velasquez in Informative Speaking. Making it to the final round of competition were Kaytlynn Frazier who placed first in Prose Interpretation, Isabelle Wills who placed third in Original Oratory and Aqsa Babar and Misbah Aziz who placed 5th and 3rd respectively in Informative Speaking.
At the end of the meet, the team ended with a total of four state qualifications and an additional six team members who are more than half way to their needed ten points for their state qualifications: Aahil Tharani, Aqsa Babar, Annsantra Sijo, Sheba Joshy, Ariella Calili, and Michael French.
Rex Fleming Memorial
At the Rex Fleming Memorial tournament, the team earned a total of 6 state points. In Informative Speaking, Sophie Nguyen earned a 4th place finish which earned her 3 state points! Not far behind, Aqsa Babar competed in cleared 5th place, earning 2 state points while junior
Aahil Tharani placed 6th place, earning his first state point. With over 30 competitors in Informative Speaking, the team had the most appearances in the winner’s bracket! Furthermore, team member Ayla Yoakum placed an impressive 4th place in Prose Interpretation.
Aahil Tharani placed 6th place, earning his first state point. With over 30 competitors in Informative Speaking, the team had the most appearances in the winner’s bracket! Furthermore, team member Ayla Yoakum placed an impressive 4th place in Prose Interpretation.
Stratford
Lincoln Douglas debate members attended the Stratford Spartan tournament the following weekend and garnered more points, specifically 2 points by Michael French who fought his way to Quarter-finals where he was narrowly edged out of advancing to the semi finals bracket.
Bellaire Highschool
At Clear Brook, Speech and Debate, resilience and strength serve as the underpinnings for this phenomenal team. As a result, the team prospered at the Dobie TFA Tournament which began on September 1st and ended on the fourth earning members more points toward their first state qualifications!
At Dobie, team Historian Misbah Aziz achieved an impressive 1st place finish in Informative Speaking, granting her 6 state points! To extend the winning streak, team Vice President Zahra Virani placed 2nd in this same event while Safa Prasla placed 6th, earning them 4 points and 1 point respectively. In Dramatic Interpretation, Annsantra Sijo placed 2nd which earned her 4 state points. Lastly, team Co-Historian Ariella Calili placed 4th in Domestic Extemporaneous speaking and earned her first 2 state points after placing first in the novice division at Foster last weekend.
The weekend following Dobie, the team headed to Alief Elsik where they continued their quest and walked away winners yet again. This time, Ariella Calili again placed 4th, picking up two more points toward state while her teammate and LD Debater Michael French placed 3rd, picking up his first two points toward state!
The team heads over to their first in-district meet at Clear Falls the weekend of September 17th and 18th where they will walk in with almost 40 team members to continue Brook’s “Quest For The Best!”
At Dobie, team Historian Misbah Aziz achieved an impressive 1st place finish in Informative Speaking, granting her 6 state points! To extend the winning streak, team Vice President Zahra Virani placed 2nd in this same event while Safa Prasla placed 6th, earning them 4 points and 1 point respectively. In Dramatic Interpretation, Annsantra Sijo placed 2nd which earned her 4 state points. Lastly, team Co-Historian Ariella Calili placed 4th in Domestic Extemporaneous speaking and earned her first 2 state points after placing first in the novice division at Foster last weekend.
The weekend following Dobie, the team headed to Alief Elsik where they continued their quest and walked away winners yet again. This time, Ariella Calili again placed 4th, picking up two more points toward state while her teammate and LD Debater Michael French placed 3rd, picking up his first two points toward state!
The team heads over to their first in-district meet at Clear Falls the weekend of September 17th and 18th where they will walk in with almost 40 team members to continue Brook’s “Quest For The Best!”
Foster/Fulshear Swing
The Clear Brook Speech and Debate team started the 2021-2022 tournament season with top places in several different events. At the Foster/Fulshear Swing located at Foster High School on August 27-28, the team started its quest to open up routes to the state tournament in Portland, Texas. As the curtain closed on the tournament, the team ended with three competitors making a name for themselves on the Houston area speech and debate circuit.
At her first competition, team Historian, Ariella Calili landed an impressive first place in Novice Extemporaneous Speaking. Additionally, the team Vice President, Zahra Virani advanced to the final round of Informative Speaking where she placed second, setting an outstanding precedent for the upcoming season which earned her four of the needed 12 points for her state qualification. Furthermore, team President Danil Merchant placed sixth in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking out of over thirty competitors, giving him one state point toward his needed total.
Next weekend, the team will be sure to extend their winning streak at the Dobie TFA Tournament from September 1st to September 4th.
At her first competition, team Historian, Ariella Calili landed an impressive first place in Novice Extemporaneous Speaking. Additionally, the team Vice President, Zahra Virani advanced to the final round of Informative Speaking where she placed second, setting an outstanding precedent for the upcoming season which earned her four of the needed 12 points for her state qualification. Furthermore, team President Danil Merchant placed sixth in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking out of over thirty competitors, giving him one state point toward his needed total.
Next weekend, the team will be sure to extend their winning streak at the Dobie TFA Tournament from September 1st to September 4th.
